How many times can FS get stuck and who Is that at the end of the tunnel?

 Dec 14th

This morning we decided to do the rest of the Stoke Bruerne flight. The water levels in the long pound had stayed very low, which caused FS to tilt slightly during our stay. FS just needed a good shove to right herself, and she came away from the side with ease. Ian had already got the lock gate open, and once I was in, lifted a paddle and walked on to get the top lock ready. On his return I was informed that the pound above was very low, definitely not enough water to float FS across, so he had lifted a paddle to run water down. It took an age before Ian came back to let me out, and FS was still way below where the water level should be.  Crikey, I wondered if FS would even get over the cill! Anyway, into gear and then knocked it out by the cill to coast over. That didn't work, I came to a stop and power had to be applied. Then a cringing moment when scraping was heard as FS went over the cill, but I made it into the pound. 

 Ian had the top lock gate open, I could see water from the top paddle rushing into the lock and decided to have a go getting in. Ian, thinking all was now okay, dropped the top paddle to stop the flow of water and that's when it went horribly wrong! Something quite substantial had been thrown in from the bridge, and of course FS found it! She first rocked a bit, then rose out of the water and tilted to one side. OMG, I was pivoting on that object and the bow was now facing the closed gate. 

 

Into reverse, well that was a waste of time. Thankfully, we had gongoozlers who I think must have told Ian about my plight and the top paddle was once again raised. FS came off, Ian opened the second gate and I again tried to inch forward. And inch FS did, got most of her into the lock, but the stern rolled over another obstacle, and I was once again stuck fast!

 

 

Ian continued to run water in until I felt FS beginning to move. This time more power was needed, but thankfully, in she went. The gongoozlers had already started closing the gates, I couldn't thank them enough, and they laughingly said it made their Sunday watching my predicament and how I handled it.  

No more dramas as I ascended the lock and once up, one of the chaps from the trip boat came to see me. Asked if we could hang fire because he was taking the boat full of passengers through the tunnel, winding after the North portal and then picking up a very special person. We were happy to oblige, but then he said we could go first, so long as we didn't hang around! 

 Gosh, I thought we were fast. I could almost feel his breath on my back, and we weren't hanging around. In fact, on exit Ian said it was the fastest we have ever gone through Blisworth Tunnel, taking just 28 minutes! Nearing the end, I spied a colourful character. Ah, now I know who his special passenger was! 

 Santa was bemused by us coming out first. Thought we were the trip boat, which literally popped out from the dark 30 seconds later. 

Talk about breathing down my neck!

I wondered where it would turn

 The wind had picked up, crikey was it icy! I wanted to stop sooner rather than later, but Ian mentioned getting to Gayton to empty the cassette and then find a spot. At Gayton junction, (where the Northampton Arm joins) were the facilities. With only the cassette to empty, I held FS by the bridge 'ole while Ian did the biz.  Within 10 minutes of leaving, a mooring was found, right by a 16-mile to Braunston marker post and, unfortunately, an unseen railway over the hill. Only when a train came past did we realise how near it was! Could be a tad noisy tomorrow morning, and we had hoped to stay for a few days, but will probably now move on.